Forensic Schools in Florida with Degree Options and Information

There are 16 schools within Florida that have forensic programs. Read an overview of ten of the largest schools' programs, requirements and tuition info and find out which school is the right one for you.

Essential Information

There are certificate programs and associate's, bachelors or advanced degree programs at 16 schools that provide forensic classes. Coursework combines both lab and lecture, and some programs require internships.

The ten schools below offer programs in which students of forensics can learn how to use chemistry, biology and other sciences to gather evidence for law enforcement. Some academic majors that may include forensics courses include criminal justice, clinical psychology, law or behavior analysis.

Florida Institute of Technology

This Melbourne school's undergraduate program in forensic psychology prepares students for graduate-level study in a variety of forensic and other fields, including clinical psychology, social work, criminal justice, law or behavior analysis. Students take courses in crime prevention and analysis and learn about partnerships between law enforcement and social services organizations. They also get hands-on experience performing research, statistical analysis and evaluation of programs and services. An internship is required. Students can join the school's Forensic Psychology Association and Psi Chi, the psychology honor society. School clinics include the East Central Florida Memory Clinic, the Family Learning Program and the Community Psychological Services Center for Organizational Effectiveness.

Program Offered: Bachelor of Arts in Forensic Psychology

Tuition and Fees (2012-2013): $36,020 (undergraduate)*

School Type and Setting: 4-year, private nonprofit; urban

Florida International University

Located in Miami, Florida International University offers forensic science instruction at the undergraduate and graduate levels. Students must earn a minimum grade point average of 2.5 and complete prerequisites in calculus, statistics, physics, biology and chemistry to be admitted to the undergraduate forensic science certificate program. This certificate program requires students to complete 18 credits in courses such as forensic evidence, forensic biochemistry, forensic toxicology and criminal procedure. The master's program in forensic science requires 32 credits, including a thesis. Forensic biology, analysis and chemistry courses make up the core of this program. Florida International University also offers a doctoral program in chemistry and biochemistry that allows students to choose a forensic track.

Florida State University

Students of this school's computer criminology degree program in Tallahassee take classes in criminology and criminal justice as well as computer forensics. Required courses include research methods in the field, crime detection, criminal investigation, white-collar crime and juvenile justice. Computer science courses cover computer networks and security, computer programming and computer databases. Graduation requirements include a capstone experience in computer crimes and criminal justice. Students may earn a Bachelor of Arts or Bachelor of Science degree. This school is also home to the Center for Criminology and Public Policy Research.

Programs Offered: Bachelor of Science or Bachelor of Arts in Criminal Justice and Computer Criminology

Tuition and Fees (2012-2013): $6,402 (undergraduate)*

School Type and Setting: 4-year, public; urban

Keiser University

Keiser University offers a Bachelor of Science degree program in cyber forensics/information security at its campuses in Ft. Lauderdale, Ft. Myers, Jacksonville, Orlando, Pembroke Pines, Port St. Lucie, Sarasota, Tampa and West Palm Beach, and the university offers a Bachelor of Science degree program in forensic investigations at its campuses in Daytona, Ft. Lauderdale, Ft. Myers, Jacksonville, Lakeland, Miami, Orlando, Pembroke Pines, Port St. Lucie, Sarasota and Tampa. The cyber forensics/information security program is a bachelor's completion program that requires an associate's degree in computer science or an associated discipline for admission. The curriculum includes courses in criminal evidence and procedures, digital media forensics, computer system forensic analysis and network defense. The forensic investigations curriculum covers topics like forensic chemistry and biology, crime scene documentation, forensic anthropology and unusual crime scenes; externships and labs are also required.

Miami Dade College

Miami Dade College in Miami offers an associate's degree program in crime scene technology that lets students choose a forensic science track or a crime scene investigation track. Students must complete at least 60 credits to receive the degree, including 23 credits in their chosen track. The forensic science track emphasizes chemistry and biotechnology with accompanying lab sessions, while the crime scene investigation track provides instruction on crime scene photography and technology, fingerprint development, courtroom presentation and criminal justice reporting.

Palm Beach State College

Palm Beach State College provides a bachelor's degree program in information management with a security and network assurance (IT forensics) concentration at its campus in Lake Worth. Admission to this program requires an associate's degree in computer science and a minimum grade point average of 2.0. Courses required for this concentration include network security and cryptography, security management, computer forensics and information system security.

Saint Leo University

Saint Leo University is a Catholic university in Saint Leo that offers a master's degree program in criminal justice with a forensic science specialization. The criminal justice curriculum offers a combination of onsite and online courses, while the courses required for the forensic science specialization are only available online. The forensic science courses are crime scene investigation and management, forensic and medicolegal death investigation, introduction to forensic science and advanced forensic science. The criminal justice core covers ethical and legal issues, public policy making and leadership applications.

St. Petersburg College

St. Petersburg College offers an associate's degree program in digital forensics and computer investigations at its Allstate Center campus in St. Petersburg. Students must earn 63 credits to receive this degree, including 24 credits in the field of study. The curriculum provides instruction on forensic computer investigations; Internet fraud investigations; tracking and profiling hackers, pedophiles and Internet stalkers; the Internet as an investigative tool; identity theft investigations and Internet pornography investigations. This program provides students with the background for employment in computer security, investigation and law enforcement.

Program Offered: Associate in Science in Digital Forensics and Computer Investigations

The University of Tampa

The University of Tampa offers a bachelor's degree program in forensic science through the Department of Chemistry, Biochemistry and Physics, located in the College of Natural and Health Sciences in Tampa. This program requires students to earn 126 credits with a minimum grade point average of 2.0 to receive the degree. The curriculum provides courses on chemistry, biology, criminal justice and criminology, and this program offers students internship opportunities. Students are prepared for the workplace and graduate study.

Program Offered: Bachelor of Science in Forensic Science

Tuition and Fees (2012-2013): $25,222 (undergraduate)*

School Type and Setting: 4-year, private nonprofit; large city

University of Central Florida

The University of Central Florida in Orlando offers several programs for students interested in forensics. The school has bachelor's and master's degree programs in forensic science, as well as a graduate-level computer forensics certificate. Both degree programs provide a forensic analysis track and a biochemistry track. The University of Central Florida also offers an interdisciplinary Master of Arts in Liberal Studies degree with a concentration in computer forensics. Master's degree students who are already working in forensic science labs may receive course registration priority.